Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, who returned to host the show for the second time, introduced the housemates in groups of four while popular dancehall artists, Mayorkun and Kiss Daniel performed live during the launch.

This year’s contestants are a cross section of musicians, comedians and entrepreneurs and the housemates were given their first task of finding bed spaces as those available were limited.

The number of contestants is an increase from last year’s 12 housemates and prize money, which saw Efe Ejeba emerged winner, taking home the 25 million Naira cash prize and an SUV as the winner of the 78-day season three contest will be given N45 million cash prize and a brand new SUV car.

The Big Brother Naija show, which was first introduced in 2006, is a special Nigerian version of the continental show Big Brother Africa and is running for a second consecutive running year as it had previously suffered a 10-year hiatus after holding its first edition in 2006.